Usain Bolt ‘available’ for Glasgow 2014 relay duty

Jamaican sprinter could compete at the Commonwealth Games as he expresses interest in being part of his nation’s relay team

Despite not being fit enough to compete for an individual place at the Commonwealth Games through running at the Jamaican Championships this weekend, Usain Bolt has advised selectors he is ‘available’ for Glasgow 2014 relay duty.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist has been forced to delay his return to competitive action following the foot injury that ruled him out of running at events including the Ostrava Golden Spike meet on June 17 and the Paris leg of the Diamond League series on July 5.

But he has asked for an exemption on medical grounds to allow him to miss this weekend’s trials but still be considered for relay duty at the Commonwealth Games, which take place from July 23 to August 3 in the Scottish city.

“I am not ready to compete at the Jamaican Championships this weekend but I have informed the JAAA (Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association) that I am available for selection for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and have submitted the relevant documentation,” read a statement from Bolt.

“I do not wish to take the place of anyone who qualifies this weekend in an individual event but am available for relay duty if the selectors feel I can be an asset to the Jamaican team in Glasgow.

“I have received lots of requests, invitations and messages of support from my fans in Scotland who are looking forward to a great event.”

If Bolt does race in Glasgow it will be the first time he will have competed at a Commonwealth Games, the sprinter having missed both the Melbourne Games in 2006 and Delhi Games in 2010. Bolt won triple gold – in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay – at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and repeated that success with a further three gold medals at the London Olympics two years ago.